A UFC movie directed by Zack Snyder? Why isn’t that already a thing?!
Following the promotion’s successful debut in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the country’s General Entertainment Authority, has some pretty big plans for the future. Joining play-by-play man Jon Anik and UFC CEO Dana White, Alalshikh revealed some of his goals, including increasing the stadium capacity to 30,000 and featuring women on the card when the UFC returns to Riyadh in 2025.
Alalshikh also likes the idea of producing a UFC movie, already having the perfect director in mind.
“I want to have a meeting with [White] and the director Zack Snyder, who’s a friend,” Alalshikh said. “We want to talk about doing a big movie about the UFC. Like The Cinderella Man, something like this. I would like to convince Zack Snyder he liked the idea and also convince Dana” (h/t MMA Mania).
Snyder is one of the more polarizing directors in Hollywood. After earning critical acclaim with films like Dawn of the Dead (2004), 300, and Watchmen, Snyder has seen fans slowly turn on him, particularly after his poorly received take on beloved DC Comics characters with movies like Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Still, Snyder has a strong fan base with many embracing his dark take on the lighter side of entertainment.
Could Zack Snyder Deliver the next big MMA movie?
In more recent years, Snyder has focused on making original films, such as the recently reassessed Sucker Punch, and a handful of movies for Netflix, including Army of the Dead and his two-part Rebel Moon saga.
One thing is for sure; Hollywood could use a few more quality films with MMA as the focus. In 2011, fight fans were gifted The Warrior, a critically acclaimed film starring Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, and Nick Nolte, who received an Academy Award nomination for his riveting performance.
A year later, we got Here Comes The Boom, a comedy film with Kevin James as a school teacher who takes to fighting to save his friend’s job.
In 2020, avid MMA fan Halle Berry starred in Bruised, a passion project distributed by Netflix. Berry, who also directed the film, stars as Jackie Justice, an ex-MMA fighter who gets back into the cage after being forced to take responsibility for the son she gave up years earlier.
The movie featured former UFC flyweight world champion Valentina Shevchenko, but failed the wow critics, amassing a 50% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and a not-much-better 56% audience score.
Is Zack Snyder the man to bring us another good MMA movie?
After last night’s sophomore Octagon victory in Riyadh, surging middleweight prospect, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov has agreed to take on fellow highly-touted challenger, Bo Nickal following a call out – praising the Colorado star’s wrestling ability.
Magomedov, who made his promotional bow last year at UFC 294, earned a decision win over Bruno Silva in Abu Dhabi – before taking on the Brazilian’s compatriot, Antonio Trocoli on short-notice overnight in Saudi Arabia, courtesy of a third round knockout win.
And improving to 13-0 as a result, the Makhackala native has landed himself on the radar of the above-mentioned, Nickal – who most recently enjoyed a second round rear-naked choke win over Cody Brundage on the monumental UFC 300 card back in April.
Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov welcomes Bo Nickal clash after UFC Saudi Arabia
Staking his claim for a fight with the Russian ace after his knockout win over Trocoli, Nickal’s call out appeared to grab the attention of Magomedov, who described a potential pairing as an “interesting fight” for the duo.
“Yes, Bo Nickal is an interesting opponent,” Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov told assembled media after UFC Saudi Arabia. “Interesting fight – interesting opponent. He has good wrestling. Wrestling now for me, [is] no problem. I’m from Dagestani you know, brother. Russia – Russian men [are] icemen. No problem [with] wrestling, takedowns no problem. Dangerous damage: elbow, knee – let’s go.”
As for Nickal, the wrestling ace claimed he was unable to land himself a short-notice fight with former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker atop last night’s card – failing to respond in time to the promotion’s short-notice offer.
Headlining the promotion’s premiere outing in Riyadh, ex-champion, Whittaker made lightwork of the seven-fight winning spree of Ikram Aliskerov, finishing the Russian with a brutal first round uppercut knockout win in Saudi Arabia.
Who wins in a future fight: Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov or Bo Nickal?
Brazilian light heavyweight contender, Johnny Walker has succumbed to strikes for the second time in as many fights tonight in the main card opener of UFC Saudi Arabia — dropping a first round KO defeat to former title challenger, Volkan Oezdemir in Riyadh.
Walker, the current number seven ranked light heavyweight challenger, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC Vegas 84 back in January, dropping a second round knockout loss to former title chaser, Magomed Ankalaev in the pair’s immediate rematch.
And dropping a stunning knockout loss to Switzerland striker, Oezdemir tonight in Saudi Arabia, perennial contender, Walker managed to survive an initial barrage against the Fribourg native — before he was then dropped for a second time at the fence, and then rendered unconscious with a slew of strikes at the fence.
Below, catch the highlights from Volkan Oezdemir’s win over Johnny Walker at UFC Saudi Arabia
VOLKAN OEZDEMIR JUST SLEPT JOHNNY WALKER! WOW!!!#UFC #MMA #UFCSaudiArabiapic.twitter.com/ZLT5ZZlkv3
Forced from a UFC 303 return next weekend, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has vowed to win every remaining fight in his career in combat sports, after a toe injury ruled him from a comeback against Michael Chandler.
McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight gold holder, has been sidelined for the last three years, suffering a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat to Dustin Poirier after fracturing his left tibia and fibula in the opening round of their showdown.
And slated to return at welterweight next weekend at UFC 303 during International Fight Week, McGregor withdrew from a scheduled clash with Chandler, after fracturing a toe on his left foot, expected to sideline him for a potential two month period.
Receiving flak from the likes of current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev – who labelled him a “chicken” for wtihdrawing from UFC 303, as well as one-time scheduled foe, Rafael dos Anjos, McGregor described the injury setback as “gut-wrenching’.
“Man we were so f*cking super ready for this fight it is absolutely gut-wrenching to take,” Conor McGregor posted on his official Instagram account. “I want that new Bugatti how I gone (sic) justify to myself getting that now without banking these fights. We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean. It needs a few weeks that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again.”
“That walk has to be seen,” Conor McGregor wrote. “This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100% Conor McGregor. The fans deserve it and we are getting close. A slight lapse in concentration and a nuisance of an injury was picked up. That’s it. Take the lesson and move forward. I will get this back, I’ve got too. I’ve got two fights left on my contract. I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. I’m coming to shine. I gotta just take my time.”
“Cos I still got yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest,” Conor McGregor continued. “Ya know yaself (sic). But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or now. #McGtheRealBMF #McGregorForever #GoingNowhere”
Conor McGregor vows to never lose a fight again
And on social media this Saturday afternoon, McGregor vowed to both never compete whilst carrying an injury into a fight again, as well as claiming he would never suffer defeat in the remainder of his combat sports career.
“I will never enter a fight hurt again and I will never lose another fight,” Conor McGregor posted on his official X account.
I will never enter a fight hurt again and I will never lose another fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 22, 2024
Do you think Conor McGregor can remain unbeaten before his career ends?
Former light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith has vowed to “cut a promo” directed at incumbent champion, Alex Pereira ahead of his return at UFC 303 next weekend, vowing to land a clash with the Brazilian if he prevails in his short-notice return.
Smith, the current number ten ranked divisional contender, returns next weekend on the main card of UFC 303, seeing a fight with Carlos Ulberg fall to the wayside in place of a matchup against Georgian contender, Roman Dolidze instead.
As for Pereira, the former middleweight gold holder headlines UFC 303 in place of a shelved fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler – taking on former titleholder, Jiri Prochakza in a rematch on short-notice.
And weighing up a potential title charge against the Sao Paulo knockout ace in the future – particularly if he wins at UFC 303, Nebraska veteran, Smith claimed plans were in motion backstage for the two to meet in the near future.
Anthony Smith eyes Alex Pereira grudge fight soon
Further revealing plans to take on Pereira in the future, Smith claimed he would aim a post-fight promo package in the direction of the current light heavyweight champion, if he wins against Dolidze next weekend.
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon – USA TODAY Sports
“I’ve got to remember that when these guys fight me, I’m their world title fight, and they’re trying to make a name off of me and I’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Anthony Smith said whilst appearing on Believe You Me. “I think he’s got incredible skill set on his feet. … If I cut a promo on Alex Pereira right afterwards, it lines up.”
Sidelined since last month, Smith most recently returned to the winner’s enclosure with an impressive opening round submission win over Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 in Brazil, latching onto a guillotine choke submission victory.
Who wins in a future title fight: Alex Pereira or Anthony Smith?
Conor McGregor has confirmed a fractured toe injury forced him to withdraw from his scheduled return at UFC 303 next weekend against Michael Chandler, claiming the injury should likely only sideline him for “a few weeks”.
McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight gold holder, was slated to return next weekend during International Fight Week against Chandler at the welterweight limit, with the duo fighting at the welterweight limit.
Conor McGregor vows to not fight “hindered” amid UFC 303 exit
And denying claims from former UFC title challenger, Chael Sonnen that a period at a rehabilitation facility to address “substance abuse” issues forced him from his comeback, McGregor revealed x-ray images of a fractured toe which prevented him from competing at UFC 303.
Mandatory Credit: Thomas King – Sportsfile
“Man we were so f*cking super ready for this fight it is absolutely gut-wrenching to take,” Conor McGregor posted on his official Instagram account. “I want that new Bugatti how I gone (sic) justify to myself getting that now without banking these fights. We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean. It needs a few weeks that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again.”
pic.twitter.com/q8w4hwcsKq
— The Mac Life (@TheMacLife) June 21, 2024
“That walk has to be seen,” Conor McGregor wrote. “This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100% Conor McGregor. The fans deserve it and we are getting close. A slight lapse in concentration and a nuisance of an injury was picked up. That’s it. Take the lesson and move forward. I will get this back, I’ve got too. I’ve got two fights left on my contract. I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. I’m coming to shine. I gotta just take my time.”
Mandatory Credit: John Locher – AP
“Cos I still got yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest,” Conor McGregor continued. “Ya know yaself (sic). But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or now. #McGtheRealBMF #McGregorForever #GoingNowhere”
What are your thoughts on Conor McGregor’s exit through a toe injury from UFC 303?
Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts with the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and more, Evolve MMA is the best gym to learn MMA in Singapore.
Kicks are one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal in mixed martial arts so you should spend as much time working on them as you do practicing your punching techniques. One-dimensional strikers who are only good at punching typically don’t do well in mixed martial arts since kickers can simply pick them apart from range.
Make sure you incorporate styles like Kickboxing and Muay Thai into your mixed martial arts training to ensure your striking skills are well-rounded enough to keep up with the competition.
Once you’ve learned all the basic kicks used in mixed martial and some basic combinations, it’s time to move up to more advanced kick combos.
Eight Effective Advanced Kicking Combinations Used In Mixed Martial Arts
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the kick combos that have been proven to be effective inside the cage:
This combination mixes things up pretty well, making it challenging for your opponents to predict what’s coming next. The teep and the switch kick are set-up strikes you throw to establish the range and keep your opponent guessing before you throw the other strikes.
Focus on speed and power when throwing these strikes, before putting serious power on the cross to the head, the hook, and lastly, the right kick that follows. The cross and hook should be thrown hard, but the right kick to the body is the real money maker here. Throw it with everything you have and aim for your opponent’s liver. It’s a fight-ending attack if it lands cleanly.
2) Step Back, Inside Leg Kick, Cross, Low Kick
This combination starts with you stepping back to confuse your opponent and then immediately whipping your lead leg at your opponent, aiming for the inner part of their thigh, which we call an inside leg kick.
Follow the inside leg kick with a powerful cross before ending the combination with a low kick thrown with your rear leg. Your opponent’s head makes a good target too hence you can replace the low kick with a head kick instead.
3) Jab, Cross, Lead Teep, Rear Roundhouse Kick
Start the combination with a basic jab-cross combination, then follow immediately with a lead teep to your opponent’s body. The push kick will push your opponent out of range which allows you to throw a rear roundhouse kick to their midsection, throwing them off-guard.
4) Lead Jab, Lead Hook, Lead Teep, Rear Roundhouse Kick
This combination starts by throwing a lead jab to your opponent’s head, followed by a hook from the same side before landing a lead teep on their midsection. From there, immediately follow up with a rear roundhouse to the head or liver. If you are a southpaw, your combinations would look exactly like the video above.
5) Jab, Cross, Left Hook, Spinning Back Kick
Here’s a crafty way to set up a powerful spinning backkick. MMA fans love their spinning attacks so add a few of these to your toolkit to win some fans over.
Start by throwing a basic jab-cross combination to get your opponent to bring their hands to the front of their face, then try to weave a lead hook behind their guard. Jab, cross combinations are an effective way to set up lead hooks so put lots of power into the hook since there’s a good chance it lands.
Regardless of how clean the hook connects, throwing it puts you in a perfect position to launch into a spin. Fire off the spinning back kick, aiming for their midsection. The first three strikes you throw should have your opponent thinking high when you go low.
6) Hook, Feint Hook, Spinning Back Kick
Here’s a combination done by Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon from ONE Championship which you can impress fight fans with. You start with a lead hook to your opponent’s head, then you feint another lead hook to have their guard high before spinning into a back kick, landing with your lead leg.
If you see an opening to the midsection after throwing the hook, you can also opt to land the roundhouse before entering into your spin.
7) Jab, Lead Hook, High Kick
This combination mixes up your attacks nicely. Start with a jab to establish range, and follow up with a hard lead hook to the head or torso. Follow through the combination with a high kick to your opponent’s head.
8) Jab, Jab To The Body, Teep, Slide Teep
Here’s another combination that mixes high and low attacks. Start the sequence with two quick jabs, with the first aimed at the head, while the other targets the torso. Immediately push your opponent away with a teep to the body and when they regain their balance and move forward, throw a slide push kick to their torso to make them off-balance again.
Mastering Advanced Punch Combinations
Some of the things you can do to master these advanced kicking combinations include:
Shadowboxing: Shadowboxing is how seasoned strikers master any technique. Find a spot you can freely move around, preferably one with many mirrors, and work on your combinations until they become second nature to you. Start slow so you can get the proper technique down before speeding things up.
Focus Mitts: Focus mitts are another effective way to perfect your striking techniques. Find an instructor or training partner to hold pads for you and practice your combos as often as you can. Your instructor or training partner can give you feedback on the things you’re doing right or wrong.
Heavy Bags: Heavy bags help you to make your combinations more powerful so don’t miss any opportunities to work on these. Don’t just mindlessly throw combinations when using the heavy bad; instead, move with the bag as if it were an opponent.
Sparring: Sparring is where you get a chance to practice your newly learned combinations on resisting opponents. It’s the most effective way to improve your timing and accuracy.
According to reports tonight, former WBC interim lightweight champion, Ryan Garcia has received a one-year suspension after reacting a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission, after failing a drug-test in relation to his now-official ‘No Contest’ bout with Devin Haney earlier this year at the Barclays Center.
As per an initial report from boxing correspondent, Dan Rafael, professional boxing star, Garcia reached a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission, and will serve a one-year suspension from the sport, as well as seeing his decision win over former world champion, Haney overturned to an official No Contest’.
Ryan Garcia hit with lengthy suspension
“BREAKING: Ryan Garcia/legal team have made settlement agreement with NYSAC,” Rafael posted on his X account. “He has agreed to the following: suspension of at least 1 year; forfeiture of his $ 1.1M official contract pursue (goes to GB, Hanye may get %) $ 10k fine (state max); fight officially a no contest.”
BREAKING: Ryan Garcia/legal team have made settlement agreement with NYSAC. He has agreed to the following: suspension of at least 1 year; forfeiture of his $ 1.1M official contract purse (goes to GB, Haney may get %), $ 10k fine (state max); fight officially a no contest. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) June 20, 2024
Initially landing a stunning decision win over multi-time amateur boxing foe, Haney earlier this year in April, Garcia was notified of a potential anti-doping violation – with test samples provided by him containing the banned substance, ostarine.
Reacting to the news of his suspension and the ruling of his victory over Haney to a now-official ‘No Contest’, the hugely outspoken Garcia claimed he would pursue a change change to mixed martial arts and compete in the UFC.
“I’m headed to the UFC,” Ryan Garcia posted on his official X account.
I’m headed to the UFC
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) June 20, 2024
Protesting his innocence despite reports revealing he and his legal team had struck a settlement with the state athletic commission, Garcia claimed the sport of boxing had turned it’s back on him.
“I really hope boxing good without me,” Ryan Garcia posted.”I fought everyone and was willing to. They have turned there back on me. I’m innocent. I stand by that I don’t care what everyone says. Gun yo (sic) my head I say I didn’t take PEDs.”
I really hope boxing good without me
I fought everyone and was willing to
They have turned there back on me
I’m innocent
I stand by that I don’t care what everyone says
Gun yo my head I say I didn’t take PED’s
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) June 20, 2024
What are your thoughts on Ryan Garcia’s settlement with the NYSAC?
After missing out on a chance to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 303, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler appears to be targeting the promotion’s baddest motherf*cker.
After nearly two years on the shelf, the former Bellator MMA champion was scheduled to step into the main event spotlight on June 29 for a long-awaited clash with the returning Irish megastar. Unfortunately, those plans were scrapped after it was revealed that McGregor sustained an injury, forcing him to bow out of the bout.
Recently, McGregor’s friend and training partner Peter Queally claimed that the fight would be rebooked for September. However, it looks like Chandler may already have his eyes on the UFC’s bragging rights belt and, more importantly, the man who’s carrying it around.
“Bravo. Mike. Foxtrot,” Chandler wrote on X.
Of course, ‘Iron’ is clearly using the phonetic alphabet to spell out BMF. He followed that up with another post on social media featuring his head superimposed on the body of Maximus Decimus Meridus, Russell Crowe’s character in the 2000 Best Picture winner, Gladiator.
“Blessed Man Forever,” Chandler wrote in the caption.
Will it be conor mcGregor or Max Holloway for Michael Chandler?
Currently, the BMF title resides with former featherweight champion Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ captured the belt with an insane buzzer-beating KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April.
As it stands, Holloway is primed for a title clash with the reigning 145-pound champion Ilia Topuria later this year, though no official announcement has been made by the UFC.
Are you interested in seeing Michael Chandler pivot to a BMF title fight with Holloway, or should the Missouri native continue to hold out for his red panty night with ‘Mystic Mac’?
Once more headlining another high-profile card during is brief Octagon tenure – incumbent light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has been backed as the potential new “face” of the UFC by Hall of Fame star, Daniel Cormier – ahead of next weekend’s return.
Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the current light heavyweight titleholder, returns on just two weeks notice at UFC 303 next weekend in Las Vegas, headlining the International Fight Week card in a rematch against former champion, Jiri Prochazka.
Replacing promotional megastar, Conor McGregor who has been sidelined through an undisclosed injury, Pereira took main event status at the monumental UFC 300 event back in April – lodging a stunning opening round knockout win over Jamahal Hill in the process.
Alex Pereira en route to further stardom with UFC 303 return
And receiving major props from the mixed martial arts community for stepping into the McGregor-shaped void at UFC 303 next weekend, Pereira is well on his way to becoming the new face of the organization – according to Cormier.
“Could you imagine the money he’s (Alex Pereira) making now,” Daniel Cormier said during an episode of Good Guy / Bad Guy. “He says yes to everything – [he] headlined Madison Square Garden twice, headlined UFC 300 which was a monster, he steps in again on short notice for UFC 303.”
“Now, it will always be hard to top Conor McGregor in regards to star power,” Cormier explained. “You still got Israel Adesanya, you still got Jon Jones, but when I think about the face of the company, because of his durability, his activity, his willingness to fight, two-division champion.”
First taking on Prochazka last November in the pair’s vacant title fight in New York, Pereira became a two-division champion with a blistering second round knockout in the pair’s headliner at Madison Square Garden.
Do you think Alex Pereira can become the biggest star the UFC has to offer?
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